Wilson Blade V8 REVIEW | Comparing the 16X19 and the 18X20 versions

[@MikeKomen]

What do you think of the blade’s new look? Shopping for this racquet or any other new tennis gear? Hit my link to shop with the RacquetGuys! racquetguys.ca/?ref=j6qXuKYSoN3S8

[@musarra195]

I just bought 16x19 yesterday. Coming from Head Gravity Pro. Love the Gravity but needed something with a bit more maneuverability.

[@curttheboywonder]

Gorgeous racquet for sure. I recently made the switch to the Diadem Elevate Tour and it’s a beautiful combination of both but better and cheaper.

[@MikeKomen]

You have to try the elevate with the solstice string such a cool looking and great playing combo

[@pault5074]

5.0+ player i found 18x20 more powerful as its 10 pts more swingweight at spec. its pretty legit but i couldnt kick the serve much

[@MikeKomen]

Thanks I appreciate the input Paul!

[@DrBilalian]

glad you're back!

[@MikeKomen]

Thanks Bilal! Been focusing on some other project but will always come back to KZbin eventually haha the community is too good!

[@juanantoniocanohidalgo5070]

Nice video, perfect combo Blade v8 16x19 with Solinco Hyper G Soft 120, 20 kilos. Top power and control and very confortable

[@carlosenriquecastellanoizq7724]

You are one of those guys that I really reckon that should have 100k more subscribers. Good video, and great communication skills.

[@MikeKomen]

Thanks Carlos! I’ll keep working towards that 100k. Comments like yours keep me motivated to keep going 🙏🏻

[@carlosenriquecastellanoizq7724]

@@MikeKomen mate have you think of reviewing the clash v2, is a super popular racquet for intermediate players, and they make many claims that is soft but also powerful at the same time🫤 I’m curious 🙏🏼👍🏼

[@MikeKomen]

I’ll be making a review of it soon, curious to see if they made changes compared to the v1

[@Citiesflicks]

I have both racquets and while comparing both: 18x16: Pro: feeling more control in the backhand / Cons: less control in serve and vollys and finishing the point 16x19: Pro: amazing control in serve, volleys and finishing the point / Cons less control in the back hand feeling way better than V7

[@MikeKomen]

I like your take on it, seems like we had a very similar experience Nawaf!

[@msalvs]

You mean 18x20?

[@sumyatsan5558]

@@msalvsthere’s 98S 18x16

[@msalvs]

@@sumyatsan5558 he edited his message. Had 16x18 before.

[@allthingstennis]

We absolutely love the new Blade paint job, understated and stylish! ATT x

[@MikeKomen]

Also forgot to mention that the scratches and chips that will inevitably happen aren’t as obvious as they were on the paint of the v7

[@bineshsanthakumar5501]

Great video! I am actually trying to move away from Speed Pro Black 18x20 and looking at Wilson Blade 18x20. After watching this, I so wanna demo the 16x19 now. Thanks!

[@MikeKomen]

Glad you liked the video Binesh! Let me know what you think of the blade

[@normancook965]

Very helpful to have an advanced player commit to one over the other. Thank you.

[@MikeKomen]

Thanks for watching!

[@ztimbo]

I just ordered a vcore 97with 18x20 and Im worried about spin. Did it dissipate any on dense pattern?

[@alexakrivos]

great video!!! i also play with 18x20.in an intermediate level you can play around the power with string pressure i think.i hear very nice things about the head speed mp 2022.could you compare these two ? thanks,alex.

[@MikeKomen]

Hey Alex I have a review of the 2022 speed pro coming next week comparing it to the vcore pro 97 hopefully that will give you some insight into my thoughts about the speed frame! Thanks for watching!

[@tantennis]

I can give you some insights as I’m currently using blade 16x19 and I also own a speed MP 2022. I like blade a lot more. It is more stable, much more control and much better on volley. Power is less, and I would say same spin potential, which is not that much. Now I use speed MP only when I do coaching and on casual rally. If you use blade 18x20, you might feel more lack of control on speed.

[@johnnacke2017]

How does the Blade v8 18x20 compare to the Head auxetic Speed Pro ? Which one would best suit a 4.0 senior?

[@MikeKomen]

I preferred the speed pro. Felt way more solid on the contact and has a slightly bigger headsize so I was hitting the ball more clean with it. I would recommend the speed pro. Hope that helps John!

[@MrGosportsteam]

Still using my blades from 13 and 15. I don't know if you have used those but I'm really hoping these newer ones have the same feel as those

[@MikeKomen]

I find that the blades have always had a generally same feel just small tweaks and changes from one model to another

[@MrGosportsteam]

@@MikeKomen I have a v7 and while I like it quite a bit, I sometimes feel like I don't feel the ball. Still a very quality racquet

[@63185]

Can you review a blade 100l 285 with 1 gr at 3, and 1 gr at 9, and leather grip? For a more topspin game with some feel and control?

[@MikeKomen]

Hey David, my reviews are just off the shelf racquets but maybe I’ll make some more videos with custom modified racquets. Thanks for watching!

[@albertocinicola576]

Hi Just bought Blade 16/19 V8....I found that has less head weight than the V7. You know where I should out weights to have the same balance of the V7? Thanks

[@MikeKomen]

I think they are supposed to be the same weight?

[@albertocinicola576]

@@MikeKomen yes but not the same balance, it feels less heavy on the head and definetly the ball has less punch and less heavy...you did not compare the balance?

[@MikeKomen]

Sounds like some lead on the top of the head (12 o’clock) could make it feel the way you want :)

[@albertocinicola576]

@@MikeKomen ok thank you

[@g2tennis]

The V7 has higher swing weight and more headheavy balance. About 2-3 grams of lead to the 12 o'clock position should make it more similar

[@mteca5093]

Which 18x20 is more open then blade? No babolats.....97.98.or100 inch

[@tanuttiyavutiroj8266]

hello, have you tried the Blade 100 at all? If yes please give your thoughts!!

[@MikeKomen]

Not yet, should I test one?

[@myrkotennis]

Mike, would you have the chance to review the Blade Pro (h22) as well? I think its a very interesting frame, especially when added some weight in the handle.

[@MikeKomen]

I’ll ask at the shop that I get the frames from but I don’t think they carry them :(

[@srdfcgvhbn]

Hi, mike is 100 V8 blade has the same stiffness as 98v8? Thanks

[@MikeKomen]

Not sure off the top of my head but If you hit the RacquetGuys link in the pinned comment they have all specs posted so you can compare

[@OptimusOctopuss5302]

Have you tried comparing these two racquets but lowering the tension on the 18x20?

[@MikeKomen]

I haven't but that could put it in a nice sweet spot!

[@jamesgibson3242]

That would be an amazing color for one of my electric guitars.

[@nathanmiller6051]

Thanks man! you're gold

[@MikeKomen]

Always appreciate your support!!

[@musarra195]

Can you please comment on stringing ? Tension and stringing

[@MikeKomen]

Hey Paul I think luxilon Alu power would be really nice in this one. A hybrid setup would be pretty great too. I usually go low 50lbs range for my tension, but I know some people like to go lower on tension if it’s full poly.

[@musarra195]

@@MikeKomen thank you very much

[@SteveWillDo91]

I use the Babolat Pure Strike 3rd gen 16x19 currently, and I’ve been looking to make a switch, I need more control and less power, but still don’t want to sacrifice power completely. I was thinking of going for the 18x20 but worried about the complete lack of power, balls falling short…. I can generate my own power, but that might become tiring if it’s a constant thing. If you were to compare the Babolat Pure Strike 3rd Gen 16x19 and Blade V8 16x19, is the control greater with the Blade than Pure Strike? Thanks 👍🎾

[@MikeKomen]

Sounds like the blade 16x19 would be a great option for you. The blade and strike are pretty close from what I’ve tested but I always found a bit more control with the blade. Gave me more confidence in placement and consistency of response compared to the strike. Hope that helps!

[@SteveWillDo91]

@@MikeKomen thanks for the reply that helps a lot to get insight from someone that’s hit with both! I’m just worried that the stability and low stiffness rating might prove difficult returning big serves or rallying with hard and fast balls… is that an issue with the blade or not? Another couple of rackets I’ve looked at is the Yonex Ezone 98 2022 edition and the V core 98 have u used either of those as well?

[@MikeKomen]

The guy I played with in the video hits a hard and flat shot on forehand and serve and the blade felt stable playing that ball. As for the other racquets I have a review of the vcore 95 and 98 on my channel you can check out, I liked the 95 more especially for stability. Haven’t tried the new ezone yet but have a review up of the old one in regular and tour versions. I liked the tour a lot more.

[@gregbishopmav]

Good to know the v8 is stable against big hitters! I loved my v8 demo and I'm not kidding when I say I've never liked another Wilson racquet in my life. I gave up on the pure strike 3rd Gen 16x19 as well for being slightly too blasty. I'm a current 2019 radical pro. Recently tried to switch to extreme tour and it just cannot stand up to big hitters and weighting it up ruins its awesome maneuverability. Fwiw vcore 98 2021 is virtually identical to my 2019 radical pro from the hitting I did.

[@SteveWillDo91]

@@gregbishopmav I think I’m gonna demo the Blade v8 16x19 and the new Yonex Ezone

[@dbehr27]

I cannot emphasize this enough. If the ball is landing short in the court, you lower tension. What are we supposed to do, just string every racket in the world at the center of the tension range and keep demoing rackets until we find one with the right depth? No. That's why there's a range. If you otherwise like a racket but are hitting short, lower the tension. IIRC, it's about a yard for every two lbs. You literally could have applied most things you said about the 16x19 to a 2nd 18x20 that was strung at the correct (lower) tension for yourself.

[@MikeKomen]

I see where you’re coming from David. The only thing is then we go down a rabbit hole of changing tensions, changing strings, adding weight, on and on. These reviews test the frame all other factors being as equal as possible. Also, these are always my opinion, I recommend everyone test for themselves before buying :) thanks for the comment and thanks for watching!

[@Le-Chuck]

Hi. What would beé your note in spin category for the 16/19? And with which other stick would you compare it ?

[@MikeKomen]

Hi Steph, for the spin of the 16x19 I would give it a 7 it’s solid but not extreme like a babolat pure aero. I think a good comparison would be something like the vcore line from yonex, or prestige or speed from head.

[@Le-Chuck]

@@MikeKomen thx for your answer. 😉

[@LarzB]

Saying anything about power and underpowered can only be really taken seriously if you measure the actual specs. Especially with the qc of Wilson the specs can be so far off that comparing these 2 rackets without checking the qc is meaningless

[@MikeKomen]

Thanks for your input Lars but I have to disagree with you there are so many other big difference, string pattern being the biggest that makes the comparison worth it regardless of any small differences in manufacturing in terms of balance and weight. I really do appreciate the input though maybe other would agree with you.

[@LarzB]

@@MikeKomen i noticed that swing weight can be off up to 20 points, and that can be with a static weight difference of less than 6 grams. 10 points swing weight difference is already huge in power difference. In that case the swing weight difference is a bigger difference than the power difference from the different string pattern. I agree that small differences in just static weight and balance is not noticeable, but the swing weight cannot be neglected. I measure all my rackets and tested 60+ rackets in the last 3 years. Also have multiple rackets which should be the same but swing weight being very far off while weight and balance is very similar.

[@MikeKomen]

@@LarzB dang you tested a lot of racquets! You gotta start putting some videos up with your thoughts!

[@LarzB]

@@MikeKomen yeah.. i have that idea already, but stage fright / camera shyness is holding me back

[@MikeKomen]

I’d subscribe 😁

[@Fa2x_Cy]

Misleading review. Tension is important factor in power !!! You never mentioned anything about tension !!! Which for me makes this review inaccurate. I believe a 18x20 with a tension of 55lb will be more powerfull than a 16x19 with a 60lb tension. MY OPINION……

[@MikeKomen]

Good point! This is assuming strings and tension are the same.

[@Mike.Cebert]

Peter needs to move his feet